American Theorem takes the wide route to Bing Crosby victory

DEL MAR, Calif. - American Theorem was a 13-1 winner of the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita on May 29, his first stakes win in his 11th start.

It was the prologue for what may be a career-defining second half of 2022.

On Saturday at Del Mar, American Theorem was again a longshot in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs, and rallied five-wide to win comfortably. With the victory, American Theorem secured a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

American Theorem ($17.60) was timed in 1:08.67 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 104.

Ridden by Joe Bravo, American Theorem broke from post 8 in a field of nine and raced wide throughout. It was not the path Bravo would have preferred, but it resulted in a win by 1 1/2 lengths.

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“I was really comfortable on the backstretch,” Bravo said. “I didn’t want to be [five]-wide, but I’m not Houdini and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“I wanted to get some momentum going.”

Bravo’s lone concern occurred at the top of the stretch occurred when he lost his stick.

“If I was ever scared that’s when I was scared,” he said.

American Theorem gave owner Rustin Kretz and trainer George Papaprodromou their first Grade 1 wins in the $402,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.

The fifth betting choice, American Theorem was sixth on the backstretch, racing a little more than a length behind pacesetter Drain the Clock, who ran an opening quarter-mile in 22.28 seconds. After a half-mile in 44.99, American Theorem was fifth, trailing Drain the Clock by about a half-length.

American Theorem quickly pulled clear to lead by three in the stretch, and had enough to hold off 7-1 Get Her Number, who was ridden by Ramon Vazquez. Get Her Number was last on the backstretch.

“I knew I had a lot of horse,” Vazquez aid. “The other horse ran great.”

Letsgetlucky (9-1) closed from fifth on the backstretch to finish third, followed by Shaaz, Principe Carlo, Drain the Clock, Diamond Oops, Bagboss and Howbeit.

Desmond Doss was withdrawn early Saturday. Shaaz, third in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park on May 30 in his stakes debut, was the 8-5 favorite. Shaaz was second on the backstretch, but was not a threat in the stretch and was beaten 5 1/2 lengths.

American Theorem, a 5-year-old ridgling by American Pharoah, has won 4 of 12 starts and earned $531,967.

American Theorem had his sixth start of 2022 in the Crosby, the most races in a season of his career.

“We knew he was special,” Papaprodromou said.

“He had issues and we took our time. It was time to prove it and he did.”